This document discusses biosecurity in aquaculture. It defines biosecurity as measures adopted to secure a disease-free environment in all phases of aquaculture. It identifies different levels of biosecurity including external and internal barriers to prevent the spread of disease. Components of biosecurity include quarantine, sanitation, and disinfection. Recommended protocols for sanitation and disinfection include being careful with live foods, proper storage and usage of manufactured feeds, and good overall system cleanliness. The document also discusses biosecurity strategies for shrimp production specifically.

1. "BIOSECURITY
IN
AQUACULTURE”
VIKAS KUMAR UJJANIA
(M.F.Sc.)
Dept. of Aquaculture
College of Fisheries, MPUAT, Udaipur

2. Biosecurity
The measures and methods adopted to secure a disease
free environment in all phases of aquaculture practices
(i.e. hatcheries, nurseries, grow-out farms) for improved
profitability.

3. Different Levels of Biosecurity
If these vectors are properly disinfected at defined critical control points then
exposure to disease causing organisms will be greatly reduced. An effective
disinfectant is chosen based on:
• Efficacy - Proven efficacy is of major importance against the full range of viral,
bacterial and fungal disease causing organisms. Particularly in aquaculture the
viruses that cause diseases are extremely persistent and difficult to destroy.
• Environmental impact - A good disinfectant must kill pathogenic organisms
within a facility but must not harm organisms in the environment when released.
• Operator safety – Any products used must be safe for staff employing the
product and all safety protocols must be strictly adhered.

4. Good Biosecurity measures reduces the
exposure to disease causing organisms with:
• External barriers – preventing the spread of disease causing
organisms onto and off an aquaculture farm or hatchery.
• Internal barriers – preventing the spread of disease causing
organisms within an aquaculture farm or hatchery.

5. Components of Biosecurity
Quarantine, sanitation and disinfection are all important components of
biosecurity.
• Quarantine: The isolation of an organism or group of organisms to
prevent the introduction or spread of infectious disease, is a standard
procedure that is extremely important in aquaculture.
• Sanitation and Disinfection: Good sanitation and disinfection
procedures reduce the numbers of disease causing organisms present
within a given system and prevent or reduce the spread of disease
causing organisms from one system to another.

6. Recommended Sanitation and Disinfection
Protocols to prevent or reduce the pathogen
load in a system include:
• Be careful with live foods, although live or fresh foods can be
a good source of nutrients, these may also be a source of
pathogens.
• Ensure proper storage (in a cool, dry location) and usage
(fallow manufacturers recommendations/expiration date) of
manufactured feeds to prevent loss of nutrients and build -up
of pathogens or toxins.
• Good overall system maintenance and cleanliness to reduce
environments that will favor pathogens and parasites.

7. Biosecurity for Shrimp Production Sector:
1. Identify all vectors that can transmit disease from one place to another.
Man is a major source of contamination. Anybody working with
shrimp in several ponds should wash his/her hands, legs and feet with
proper disinfection solutions, after handling equipment or animals and
before moving to work on the next pond. Other vectors of disease
transmission include crabs, rodents wild birds etc. which can
contaminate the water in ponds. These vectors should be kept in
control completely in the vicinity of aquaculture practices.
2. Do not share equipment between ponds unless necessary. In these
cases, disinfect all equipment prior to being re-used.

8. 3. Ensure that the site is limited to one combined entrance and exit to
establish a secure biosecurity perimeter. Restrict access to the hatcheries
and farms to authorized persons only.
4. Ensure that all vehicles have been cleaned and disinfected prior to arrival
at site.
5. Keep clean all surrounding areas of the hatchery or farm. After cleansing
disinfect all surrounding areas of the hatchery or farm.
6. Thoroughly clean all equipment such as sampling tubs, trays, nets etc.,
rinse with clean water and then disinfect.

9. Biosecurity strategies
Quantitative assessment of risks, constant surveillance and detailed
record keeping. This is particularly important in our aquaculture
operation systems where predators, scavengers and poachers can pose
serious threats in the transportation of pathogenic viruses, bacteria,
protozoa, fungi etc. from one site to another. Biosecurity is the
management practices that prevent non-infected, healthy animal
populations from being exposed to infectious or parasitic agents.

10. The Need of Biosecurity in Aquaculture
Disease challenge by viruses, bacteria, fungi and toxic algae presents a
major threat to profitable aquaculture production. Biosecurity, in other
words reducing the number of infectious organisms in the aquaculture
environment, is the most effective form of protection. Biosecurity is a
set of management practices, which reduce the potential for the
introduction, and spread of disease-causing organisms onto and between
sites. Bio-security procedures, particularly disinfection and sanitation,
should be combined with selection of pathogen-free seed and strategic
treatments to either eradicate or reduce these pathogens to non-
infectious levels.

11. Factors Influencing Biosecurity
• Infection may be harbored and spread in a variety of ways. In relation
to aquaculture, these may include by crustaceans, in feed, in feacal
matter, by birds, by inadvertent human intervention and on equipment.
These factors all influence the planning of a bio-security programme.
• People are the most important animate factor – including employees,
servicemen, vehicle drivers, fishermen (cast net sampling). Staff
movements should be as limited as possible, particularly where the
disease situation on a particular site has deteriorated.

12. Biosecurity Critical Control Points
Critical control points are the physical locations or production steps at
which the fish may be exposed to disease pathogens. Pathogens can
enter aquaculture systems:
• On the fish
• In water
• From the environment
• On other organisms
• In commercial feeds or live or frozen foods

13. References
• Bowker, J. et al. 2011. Guide to Using Drugs, Biologics, and Other
Chemicals in Aquaculture. American Fisheries Society Fish Culture Section
Working Group on Aquaculture Drugs, Chemicals, and Biologics. http://
www.fws.gov/fisheries/aadap/AFS-FCS%20documents/
GUIDE_FEB_2011.pdf
• Danner, G.R. and P. Merrill. 2006. Chapter 8: Disinfectants, disinfection,
and biosecurity in aquaculture. In Aquaculture Biosecurity: Prevention,
Control, and Eradication of Aquatic Animal Disease. A.D. Scarfe, C. Lee,
and P.J. O’Bryen (eds.). Ames, Iowa: Blackwell Publishing.
• Lee, J.S. 1979. Cleaning and sanitizing agents for seafood processing plants.
SG 21. Oregon State University Sea Grant.

14. THANK YOU….